Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30

Kiehl's

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30 is a moisturizer. Our analysis of its 38 ingredients (29 low-risk) rates it Excellent (93/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.

Vegan-friendly

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Moisturizers
Ingredients
38
Low-risk
29
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
United States
SPF
30 · blocks 96.7% UVB

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 12/9
Good for dry skin
Glyceryl Stearate Dicaprylyl Carbonate Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract Squalane Ectoin Octyldodecanol Caprylyl Glycol Glycerin Palmitic Acid Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Dimethicone
Caution for dry skin
Stearic Acid Xanthan Gum Glycerin Salicylic Acid Palmitic Acid Sodium Hydroxide Steareth-100 PEG-100 Stearate Silica
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 1/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid
Sensitive Skin 2/10
Good for sensitive skin
Glycerin Dimethicone
Caution for sensitive skin
Myristic Acid Stearic Acid Octyldodecanol Glycerin Salicylic Acid Palmitic Acid Phenoxyethanol Homosalate Linalool Limonene

Ingredients list

38 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (6)
All38 Skin Conditioning22 Fragrance12 Emollient8 Humectant7 Viscosity Controlling6 Emulsion Stabilising6 Hair Conditioning5 Uv Absorber5
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
Octocrylene
(Sunscreen Agent, Uv Absorber, Uv Filter)
4
Homosalate
(Fragrance, Sunscreen Agent, Uv Absorber, Skin Conditioning, Uv Filter)
4
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
(Uv Absorber, Uv Filter)
1
A
Squalane
(Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning)
2
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
(Uv Absorber, Uv Filter)
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
3
A
PEG-100 Stearate
(Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Glyceryl Stearate
(Emollient, Emulsifying)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
2
A
Silica
(Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Bulking Agent, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Octyldodecanol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Perfuming, Solvent)
1
A
Stearic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Stearic Acid., Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
1
A
Palmitic Acid
(Fragrance, Opacifying, Sufactant, Surfactant Emulsifying Agentsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Palmitic Acid., Emollient)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
3
B
Steareth-100
(Gel Forming, Surfactant)
1
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Tonic)
1
A
Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
2
A
Chlorphenesin
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial, Preservative)
1
B
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
(Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
6
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent)
Allergens
Allergens
1
Ectoin
(Buffering Agent, Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
1
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Myristic Acid
(Fragrance, Opacifying, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Perfuming)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
Mentha Piperita Oil
(Fragrance, Perfuming, Refreshing, Tonic)
1
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
(Humectant)
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
5
Linalool
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
4
B
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Absorbs UV rays to help prevent sun damage.
Exfoliators
Removes dead skin cells to smoothe texture.
BHA
Unclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrates by attracting and holding water.
Ectoin
Protects against environmental stress and aging.
Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Show all 7 key ingredients

Benefits

HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.
Reduces Large PoresMinimizes the look of enlarged pores.
Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Acne FightingFights acne and helps prevent breakouts.

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains silicone
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Octocrylene
Sunscreen agent, Uv absorber
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 Sunscreen agentUv absorberUv filter
Homosalate
Fragrance, Sunscreen agent
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 FragranceSunscreen agentUv absorberSkin conditioningUv filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
Uv absorber, Uv filter
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 Uv absorberUv filter
Squalane
Emollient, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientHair conditioningRefattingSkin conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Uv absorber, Uv filter
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 Uv absorberUv filter
Silica
Abrasive, Absorbent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1–2 CIR A AbrasiveAbsorbentAnticaking agentBulking agentOpacifyingViscosity controlling
Octyldodecanol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningEmollientPerfumingSolvent
TOCOPHEROL
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AntioxidantFragranceSkin conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningEmollient
Steareth-100
Gel forming, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B Gel formingSurfactant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion stabilising, Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emulsion stabilisingFilm formingViscosity controlling
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Humectant, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 HumectantSkin conditioningTonic
Carbomer
Emulsion stabilising, Viscosity increasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingViscosity increasing agentGel formingViscosity controlling
Chlorphenesin
Cosmetic biocide, Antimicrobial
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Cosmetic biocideAntimicrobialPreservative
+ 12 more — see the full ingredients list above
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Surfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientEmulsifying Fungal-acne trigger
Stearic Acid
Fragrance, Sufactant
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSufactantEmulsifyingSurfactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of stearic acid.Emulsion stabilisingMaskingRefatting Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben
Palmitic Acid
Fragrance, Opacifying
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceOpacifyingSufactantSurfactant -emulsifying agentsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of palmitic acid.Emollient Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Limonene
Deodorant, Perfuming
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 DeodorantPerfumingSolvent Allergens
Myristic Acid
Fragrance, Opacifying
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceOpacifyingSufactantEmulsifyingPerfuming Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Linalool
Fragrance, Deodorant
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 FragranceDeodorantMasking Allergens
Salicylic Acid
Antiacne agent, Antidandruff agent
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B Antiacne agentAntidandruff agentCorn/callus/wart removerDenaturantExfoliantFragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningKeratolyticMaskingPreservative Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply near the end of your routine, after thinner serums.
  • 2 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid)

Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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